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Multiples of the same bass

(imho) Constantly having to justify the purchase of a musical instrument (you can afford) is something we do to placate our (non musician) spouse or significant other. If you are getting something positive from the ownership of something then that is all the justification you need.
 
I bought a Fender Roscoe Beck IV about 5 years ago after running into one at a local shop and falling in love with the quality, feel and tone of it. At that time I thought that if I could find another at a reasonable price I would definitely grab it with an eye to making it a fretless. So, I would end up with 2, but not quite the same.

Last year, just as covid was kicking into high gear a fellow TBer reached out and said he had a RB IV to sell. I grabbed it. As we speak I am having a custom fretless neck made for it and should have it back by May or so.

Here they are before the 3TB one was sent out for its new neck build. I'm keeping the tobacco burst one as original. Great basses for sure!

New RB IV with old 29Mar2020 sm.jpg
 
The only reason I would have two basses that are identical or extremely close in all specs and functional details is if it's in heavy rotation and I need to rely on it for studio or live performance work. I probably have three or four pairs of twins. If that's the bass of the week, they both go where I go. IME, I cannot take time out to repair a bass, or borrow a strange surrogate, or drive or fly home to retrieve another. One fails, within literally seconds I have its twin ready to roll saving the show and valuable studio time. It has happened a few times over the decades making it a necessary CYA feature for me.

If I ever give up on the studio/stage thing, I can no longer justify keeping twins and they will be split and one sold.
 
As far as multiples, I have 2 Precision Basses (one w/flats, one w/rounds) and 4 Jazz Basses - all strung with rounds (not pictured is my purple sparkle Adam Clayton Jazz).
I'm no longer in a band, and as much as I'd like to be, I really don't have the time to do it any more. Maybe in 10 years when I retire...
I still keep buying basses (I currently have 14), but I no longer think of them as tools. Now I think of them like a nice scotch collection - I enjoy them when I can, even if it's not as often as I'd like.


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I have multiple similar but mostly not identical basses...

Some are strung differently, some are set up for different tunings, others may look the same but sound very different due to electronic or wood variations. Even though not identical, some can backup others during live shows.

In the past, I've had a few identical pairs in different colors for different situations. For example, I had 2 P's, one was customized to be visually very flashy for a rock band I was in, the other was traditional burst / tort for theater pits and side work. Mirror pick guards and reflective paint don't get you invited back to the pit. :laugh:
How do I reason with keeping multiples of the same bass? Especially when there are other basses I want but it would require me to sell.

I only own 2 basses, a Stingray and Stingray Special. I bought both of these for a great deal assuming I’d keep one and sell the other. Unfortunately I fell in love with both but have been wrestling with the idea of selling one and buying a MIJ Jazz or Jazz Bass Special.

I have other hobbies and activities that take priority in terms of funds and space so I’ve really been trying to keep my collection to a couple of amps and a couple of basses.

Thought this might be an interesting topic and help my decision making process.

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Well typical of Talkbassers you have a whole lot of opinions lol. For me, L2000s are what defines "my sound" to my ears. These four are completely different from each other tonally and to me it would be impossible to give one up. In fact, I would love to add at least one more to the group. Having said that I have to agree with the folks who are advising to hold on to both your Rays. Nothing is more expensive than regret. ;)
 

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I got five Fernandes Atlas 4X basses, four Fender Am. Std. J basses, two Fender Am. std. P basses, etc. They all have the same strings on them. Some of them are even the same color. I got no reason why.. I had one P, one J, and one fretless when I was a fulltime. I don't even gig now :whistle:
 
At one point I had six basses that the untrained eye might see as the same — Guild B-301, 301F, 302, 401A, 401F and 402A. All offered different functions and looks onstage as well as backup capacity, and I used them differently, although I admit I've never been busy enough with music work to really justify it all economically. I still have the 301 and 401A from that pile, a 402 standard rather than the A, plus a pair of matching 1990 Pilot Pro Vs, one fretless. I have a few others, of course, but if I'm called for an electric gig it'll typically be one of the Guilds.

My attachment to the B series started when I bought the 301 in '76, because the neck was the one that felt right, and it still does. That's the important factor — the various features of the different models are secondary to the neck. There is no B-series fiver; the Pilot Pro is another model that I discovered just works right for me, doesn't cost too much, and I tend to be loyal to brands.
 
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